A growing number of research studies are showing that self-esteem might not be all that it’s cracked up to be. Low-achieving students, some studies show, think as highly of themselves as valedictorians. Violent criminals are no more likely to show … Continue reading
Q. I read with interest your commentary on free speech, published at Capitalism Magazine. I am troubled by the idea of ‘freedom of ALL speech’. If ideas matter, and they lead to action, then perhaps speech that advocates the violation of fundamental … Continue reading
Marital counseling and couples therapy are often a flop. This holds true even if the therapist is a pretty good one. Why is this? There are two common reasons. One is that couples wait until at least one of them … Continue reading
Newsmax.com reports: “Republican voters are split on whether Rick Perry’s hardline views on Social Security make him a better choice for president or a worse one. One-in-five say they are more likely to vote for the Texas governor because of … Continue reading
Under the code of ethics that I propose (the honest and rational one) people will realize, before becoming parents, that they had better really be ready for the job, because there’s no village to rescue them if they change their … Continue reading
Why do so many parents act, speak and appear to think as if having a child is the ultimate accomplishment? Flies also reproduce. Primitive savages do it too. Cavemen did it. Having offspring is not a particularly human accomplishment. It’s … Continue reading
Being committed to growth means that you are willing to question yourself and others; to think philosophically and critically, rather than just react to events; and to go by reason rather than just by sheer ‘instinct.’ A person committed to … Continue reading
When Republican presidential candidates who oppose socialized medicine are asked, in essence, “What will you do with a sick person — let him die?” the answer they normally give is, “Of course not. The government requires hospitals to provide emergency … Continue reading
Fox News online reports: “Obama’s latest jobs plan calls for $130 billion in aid to state and local governments, providing either a welcome infusion of cash for those struggling with budget gaps, government layoffs and crumbling roads or merely a … Continue reading
A Cornell University study asks, ‘Why do teens do stupid things?’ This same study also purports to answer that question. First of all, I have a problem with the premise of the question. Not all teens do stupid things, nor … Continue reading
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the attack on the United States known as 9/11. A decade later, America is not at war with an external enemy as much as it is with itself. We live in a mixed economy, … Continue reading
Why do most people falsely believe that addiction is a disease? Are they all simply lazy and dishonest? No. While some are, I maintain that most are not. The confusion and error is created, in large part, by superficial similarities … Continue reading